Hangar tent



June 20, 1950 w. s. FlNKEN ETAL HANGAR TENT 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 19, 1947 R an 0v R INVENTORS.

WM m F r F r H p L 0 wmum v.

June 20, 1950 w. s. FlNKEN ETAL 1 2,511,974

HANGAR TENT Filed Feb. 19, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. W/JLTER s. FIN/(EN LEO/MR0 P. Fe/spER June 20, 1950 W. S. FINKEN ETAL HANGAR TENT 6 sheets-sheet 5 Filed Feb. 19, 1947 R ma Y .K E MNE N Mm R E .F w M Q; R E L L4 MW E L V.-

June 20, 1950 w. s. FINKEN ETAL HANGAR TENT 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 vFiled Feb. 19, 1947 m W. M K E N T w m M E w mm .n em n N m June 20, 1950 w. s. FINKEN ETAL 2,511,974

HANGAR TENT Filed Feb. 19, 1947 a Sheets-Sheet; 5

IN V EN TOR. WALTER s. FIN/(EN L E ONRRD P. FR/EDER I25 kw L. $12M H TTORNE Y June 20, 1950 w. s. FINKEN ETAL- HANGAR TENT 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 19, 1947 INVENTOR. WHLTER 5. F/NKE/V' LEONA/20 F2 FP/EDER Qk LSQMMF Patented June 20, 1950 UNITED HANGAR TENT Walter S. Finken, Brooklyn, and Leonard P.

Frieder, Long Island, N. Y.; said Finken assignor to said Frieder Application February 19, 1947, Serial No. 729,494

24 Claims. 1

Our invention relates to hangar tents and more particularly to an inexpensive, lightweight tent covering a predetermined area and free from internal obstructions.

The growing production of small airplanes for private, sporting and business use has mushroomed as a result of the war. A large number of men and women have learned to fly during the war and this knowledge has increased the demand for small airplanes.

The problem of housing small airplanes to protect them against inclement weather is growing apace with the production of small airplanes. The building of a permanent hangar requires the expenditure of considerable funds and is out of all proportion with the comparatively low cost of small airplanes.

One object of our invention is to provide an inexpensive, rapidly erectable structure for the storage of airplanes.

Another object of our invention is to provide a lightweight structure free from internal obstructions having its framework sufficiently rigid to furnish housing for an airplane or the like and resist the pressure of high winds and to bear heavy snow loads.

Another object of our invention is to provide a structure of such lightness that it may be erected within a short period of time with a minimum of unskilled labor.

Another object of our invention is to provide a tent having general usefulness in all fields requiring protection or housing free from internal obstructions and which. must be readily portable and easily erectable.

A further object of our invention is to provide a novel chordless truss structure which is light and easily transportable and which is of general application.

Still a further object of our invention is to provide a truss structure which may be rapidly and expeditiously disassembled for ease in transportation.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a novel means for tensioning our chordless truss.

A further object of our invention is to provide novel assembling means for rapidly and conveniently assembling our tent with a minimum of effort and labor.

Other and further objects of our invention will appear from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a framework containing one embodiment of our invention with the tent fabric removed.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the framework shown in Figure 1 indicating the position in dotted lines of a light airplane when housed within our tent.

Figure 3 is a View of our tent with the fabric in place viewed from the front showing an airplane housed therein in dotted lines.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of our tent viewed from the rear.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an assembly junction used in one embodiment of our invention.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view, with parts in section, showing a thrust block capable of use in our assembly.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the main roof truss, which for purposes of convenience, will be referred to hereinafter as the crescent truss.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of an auxiliary truss member, which for purposes of convenience, will hereinafter be referred to as the diagonal truss.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 9--9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a air of members of Figure 9 in disassembled position.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the end of one of the members of the diagonal truss showing the tensioning arrangement.

Figure 12 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line l2--l2 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken along the line l3l3 of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken along the line 14-14 of Figure 7.

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken along the line l5l5 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line Iii-l6 of Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary plan view taken along the line I'I--I| of Figure 15.

Figure 18 is a fragmentary perspective view with parts broken away showing one end of the diagonal chordless truss.

Figure 19 is a perspective view showing the other end of the chordless diagonal truss.

Figure 20 is a perspective view showing one end of the crescent truss.

blocks.

Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the other end of the crescent truss.

In general, our invention comprises a framework including three main supporting tent poles adapted to bear the main weight of the tent, trusses and loads imposed upon the tent fabric by wind and snow, together with a pair of auxiliary poles for supporting the rear of the tent. A catenary supporting cable is supported by the two forward poles. A main ridge truss is supported between the third pole and the catenary supporting'cable. Lateral ridge members extend from the main ridge truss to the forward supporting poles. The poles are guyed in any suitable manner. The framework thus formed is adapted to support a fabric covering which may be formed in any appropriate manner.

More particularly, referring now to the drawings, a pair of main supporting poles 2 and 4 carry thrust blocks 6 and 8 secured to their upper ends in any suitable manner. A pair of stays l and I2 are fastened at their upper ends to the thrust block 6, in any appropriate manner such as by eye I4 formed on the thrust block 6. The lower ends of the stays or guys If) and i2 are secured to pegs I5 and I8 driven into the ground. In a similar manner, forward tent pole 4 is guyed .by stays 20 and 22 secured at their upper ends to thrust block 8 and at their lower ends to tent pegs 24 and 28. A pair of flexible members such as-wire cables 28 and 30 extend between poles 2 and 4. The ends of cable 28 are secured to thrust blocks 6 and 8 in any appropriate manner, as for example, by eyes 32 formed on the thrust The pole 2 carries a fitting 34 to which one end of the wire cable 38 is secured. The pole 4 carries a, fitting 35 to which the other end of the flexible member 30 is secured. A rear pole 38 is guyed by stay 48 which is secured .at its upper end to a thrust block 42 carried by the pole 38 and at its lower end to tent peg 44 driven into the ground. A main ridge truss, indicated generally by the reference numeral 45, is formed of a plurality of tubular members 45 48 and 58. The front ends H8, I26 and H0 of the members '46, 48 and 50 are lodged respectively in thrust shoe 52 as can be seen by reference to Figure 21. The rear ends of the truss members are carried by the thrust shoe 42. The thrust shoe 52 is supported by the catenary members 28 and 30 as can readily be seen by reference to Figure 1. Spacing struts 54 and 56 serve to hold the tubular members 4B and 48 and 50 of the ridge truss in spaced relation. In a small tent, the three tubular members may be replaced by a single arcuate tube. Extending laterally from the main ridge truss 45, from a point intermediate its ends, to each of the thrust members 6 and 8, are a pair of auxiliary ridge members 58 and 88. The outer ends of members 58 and 65 are supported by the thrust blocks 8 and 8. Their inner ends are secured to the spacing strut 58. In Figure 1, the auxiliary ridge members 58 and 88 are shown as single arcuate tubes. In the case of a large tent,

auxiliary ridge members may be formed of a plurality of tubes similar to the main. ridge structure, as shown in Figure 5, in which tubular members BI, 63 and 65 are secured to an end plate 52,

to form a truss member, the equivalent. of. truss member 60, which is secured to spacing plate '55. Similarly, members 61, 69 and H are secured to an end plate 64 to form a lateral ridge truss equivalent to truss member 58.

We prefer to use a chordless truss structure havinginternally disposed flexible members with 4 means for tensioning the flexible members as shown in Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 which will be hereinafter more fully described.

A tension member 66 extends between shoe 52 and thrust block 42 to prevent deflection of the main ridge truss during heavy loading as would be the case with snow loads. The tension member may be a tie rod or wire cable and may be provided with an adjustable member such as a turnbuckle 68. A lateral tension member 18 extends from the thrust block 6 to the tie rod 68 in a vertical plane underneath the ridge member 58. Similarly, we provide a tension member 12 between thrust block 8 and tension member 66 in a vertical plane with the lateral ridge member 88. These tension. members complete a system which absorbs the thrust forces from the trusses and prevents them from being applied as bending moments upon the supporting poles, thus permitting the poles to carry only the weight of the parts and avoiding lateral forces which may tend to bend the poles.

It will be observed by reference to Figure 2 that guy line ID is in direct alignment with tension member 18 and that guy line 22 i in direct alignment with tension member 12. The use of the tension members 18 and 12 permits the guy lines I0 and 22 to be disposed clear of the entrance to the tent, and permits the forces applied through wire cable 66 to be absorbed through lines HI and 12, guys It] and 22 to the ground stakes l6 and 25.

The auxiliary flexible member 38 which is in a plane beneath the main catenary member 28 provides stability of the catenary and opposes the tension of the guy lines I2 and 20, thus preventing excessive guy tension from decreasing the depth of the catenary 28.

The pole l4 and its stays l6 and 18 as well as the pole 88 and its stays 82 and 84 simply provide support for the tent fabric in the rear end of the tent and are similar in construction and function to tent poles in conventional use. These poles lend no support to the main structure described hereinabove. A tent fabric 86 of any appropriate construction and material and of the proper size is supported from the main ridge truss 45, the lateral ridge trusses 58 and 88 and the poles l4 and 80, thus producing a tent, the form of which can be readily seen by reference to Figures 3 and 4. We prefer to use a catenary construction in which the tent fabric itself and reinforcing braids lend lightness and strength to the structure. It will be noted, for example, that there is no ridge rope extending between pole l4 and pole 2. Similarly, there is no ridge rope extending between poles 14 or 88 or between poles l4 and 38 or between pole at and pole 88 nor between pole and pole 4. The catenary cable 28 does not support the tent fabric directly. There is no ridge rope extending between shoe 52 and pole 2 nor between shoe 52 and pole 4. We sew braids or cords in the tent fabric or secure wire cables thereto so that stresses are distributed throughout the fabric uniformly thus enabling a lightweight structure to take a comparatively heavy load. The ed es of the fabric forming the roof of the tent are out radially and when the cords, braids or wire which are placed within the hems are tensioned, the roof fabric supports the flexible memers in the hems uniformly throughout their lengths, thus forming a curved edge. This curve may be along the horizontal plane or along a plane inclined to the vertical. For example, a

braid 90 is sewn to the hem of the tent fabric between pole 80 and pole Similarly, a braid or cord 92 is sewn in; the hem of the tent fabric between pole 2 and pole 14. A cord, braid or wire 94 is sewn in the hem of the tent fabric between pole 38 and pole 88. In a similar manner, a braid 96 is sewn in the hem between pole 38 and tent pole is. Likewise a flexible member 98 is sewn in the hem between poles it and 80, flexible member I89 is sewn in the hem between tent pole 2 and thrust shoe 52 and braid I92 is sewn in the hem between thrust shoe 52 and pole 4. Our construction is extremely flexible so that it will yield slightly upon the application of unusual stresses due to the inherent elasticity of the fabric to which the stresses are transmitted byour construction. This inherent resiliency is augmented by placing the panels of fabric into the tent covering at a bias.

Referring now to Figures '7, 14, l5, 16, 17, 20 and 21, we have shown details of construction of our crescent or main ridge truss whereby we are enabled to readily disassemble it for ease in transportation. The member indicated in Figure 7 generally by the reference numeral 58 is composed of a number of sections-i9 1, I05, its and III]. The member indicated generally by the reference numeral 46 is composed of a plurality of sections H2, H5, H5 and I58. imilarly, the tubular member indicated generally by the reference numeral 48 in Figure '7 is comprised by sections I29, I22, I24 and I22. The outer ends of sections I84, H2 and I28 are lodged in the thrust shoe indicated generally by the reference numeral t2 and shown in detail in Figure 20. The outer ends of sections Ilil, IE8 and H6 are lodged in thrust shoe indicated generally by the reference numeral 52 and shown in detail in Figure 21. Triangular bracing members indicated generally by reference numerals 53, 5

and 56 are adapted to form intercostal supports and at the same time act as connecting members between the respective sections of the truss member. Referring now to Figure 14, a spring clamping and connecting member 3255 is adapted to clamp section II2 and He in assembled posi tion. The member I28 is formed with a pair of sockets I39 and 32. A member I315 similar to member I28 is adapted to clamp sections I24 and I06 together and is formed with a pair of sockets I36 and I38. Another member I is adapted to clamp members IZES and I22 together and is formed with a pair of sockets I42 and IM. The member 528 is formed with a pair of flanges I45 and as? adapted to be drawn together by bolts Hi8 against the inherent elasticity of the member I28 to perform the clamping action. It will be observed that the flanges I55 and M? of the member $22 which is at the top of the truss are directed downwardly so as to present a smooth surface upon which the tent fabric may rest. Similarly, bolts I5Ii are adapted to draw flanges i532 IM together and bolts I55 are adapted to draw flanges I58 and I58 of the member I l-ii together. Gne end of intercostal member Mid is lodged in socket I38 and held therein by pin M32. The other end of intercostal member Isl! is lodged in socket I36 and held therein by pin I554. One end of intercostal member IE6 is lodged in socket I32 and held therein by pin 4%. The other end of intercostal member H2 is lodged in socket I38 and held therein by pin I22. The other end of intercostal member III! is lodged in socket I4 and held therein by pin I14.

In order to provide proper alignment of adjacent sections, we secure guide members adjacent one end of each of the sections except sections I 04', H2 and I20. This can be seen by reference to Figures 15 and 1'7 in which guide member HE is secured to the left-hand side of section H4. Guide member I18 is secured to the left-hand side of section I 22 and guide member I is secured to the left-hand side of section I 05. Each of the guide members are formed with reentrant portions such as reentrant portion I82 shown in Figure 17. Each of the clamping members are provided with coaching lugs such as lug I84 formed on clamping member I28 shown in Figure II. In this manner each of the sections of the truss will be assembled in correct relation. Each of the left-hand sides of the tubular sections except tubular sections I06, H2 and I20 are internaly fitted with sockets I88 adapted to register with tapered extensions I88 for ease in assembling. Each of the right-hand sections have internally secured to them tapered members 588, except sections III], III! and I26.

Referring now to Figure 20, the thrust shoe 42 is formed with a main body member I90 having a downwardly extending portion I92 adapted to lodge in a slot formed in the cap I94 fastened to the top of pole 38. A bolt I96 is adapted to hold the shoe in position. An elongated member I98 extends upwardly and is screwed into the body I90. The tent may be formed with 'an eyelet through which the pointed member I98 may extend. Pivotly secured to the body member E99 are a pair of members 298 and 282. Membar 222 carries a flange 2M and a plug 205. The external diameter of the plug 286 is equal to the in lrnal diameter of member I 23 so that it may he slipped thereover and secured thereto by means of pin 208. Similarly, a plug 2) extends forwardly from the body member I90 adapted to receive member IIZ. Member 208 is formed with plug 252 adapted to receive the end of secticnal truss member I84. An eye 2M (shown in .Figure 7) is adapted to form the point of attachment for the end of tension member E6. An open- 225 is formed in the rear of the body memifl 8% for receiving the guy 43.

Referring now to Figure 21 the thrust shoe 52 comprises a body member 242 formed with an opening 220 through which the catenary cable 28 is adapted to pass. The flexible cable 38 passes through a slot 222 in which it is adapted to be clamped by tightening clamping bolt 224. A pair of members 226 similar to members 282 and 288 are secured to the body member 2 I8 by means of bolt 228. The members 225 are provided with plugs in which sectional members I25 and HE! are seated. The tent side of body member 2 I8 is formed with plug 232 over which the end of sectional truss member II8 is lodged. Pins 232 secure the ends of the sectional truss members to the plugs. An eye secures end 234 of tension member 66 to the body member 2I8.

It will be observed by reference to Figure 7 that the tension member 66 is formed of two parts joined by a pair of eye splices 235 and 23B. Ten-- sion members it! and 72 may be formed of a single length of wire cable passing through the eye 23E.

Referring now to Figures 8, 9, 10, ll, 12, 13, 18 and 19, which relate to the chordless truss which is used in our tent as the diagonal truss, it will be observed that the truss indicated generally by the reference numeral II in Figure 8 is composed of three arcuate members indicated generally by the referenc numerals 58, 67 and 63., Member 58 is comprised by sections I9! and I03. Member 61' is comprised by sections I95 and I01. Member 69 is comprised by sections I09 and I I I.

A triangular bracing member indicated generally by the reference numeral H3 in Figure 8 and I I in Figure 5 is generally similar to the triangular bracing assembly shown in Figures 14. and 15. In view of the fact that each of the tubular members forming the truss Of this type contain a flexible tension member as will hereinafter be pointed out more fully, it is not necessar to use the clamping type of connection. The intercostal members are connected by socket members II? and H9 and I2I. Referring now to Figure 9 the member H1 is adapted to bridge 1 the junction between tubular sections I05 and I99. Secured to the right-hand side of each of sections IOI, I05 and I09. We provide asleeve such s the sleeve I23 which is secured to the member I05. The external diameter of the sleeve IE3 is equal to the internal diameter of the member I01. The internal diameter of the sleeve i253 is sufliciently large to allow the passage of a fiexible tension member I25 which may be a wire cable or the like. A set bolt I21 may be provided to maintain the member II1 in position. When the member H1 is slid to one side or the other of the juncture and the tension upon cable 125 loosened, the truss may be disassembled as shown in Figure 10.

We have shown in Figure 5 the method of securing one end of the chordless truss to the main ridge truss. The method of securing the other end of the truss to a tent pole is shown in Figure 19 in which a body member I29 is provided with a depending portion ISI adapted to fit into the top of the pole 2 and be held therein by bolt I33. The body member I29 is formed with an opening I through which guy ropes I9 and I2 may be secured. A pair of members indicated generally by the reference numerals I31 and I39 are secured to the body member I29 by means of bolt I4I. An upwardly extending member I43 may be screwed to the body member I29 to coact with an eyelet formed in the tent fabric in order to more easily position it. A member I45 having an internal construction similar to the members I31 and I39 is formed at the upper portion of the body member I29.

A perspective view of the member I31 is shown in Figure 11. Referring now to Figures 11, 12 and '13 the member indicated generally by the reference numeral I31 is formed with a body I41 having a cylindrical portion I49 and a flanged portion I 5I which is formed with an opening I53 for the reception of bolt MI. The sectional truss member MI is lodged over the exterior of the cylindrical portion I49 and secured thereto in any suitable manner as, for example, by machine screws I55. The cylindrical portion I49 is bored to receive a sleeve I59 in which we lodge a piston IBI. 'A member I63 is formed with a stem threadedly engaging the head of the piston I6I. The head I63 is formed with openings I61 to receive a spanner wrench and with a slot I69 adapted to receive a guide screw Hi. The end of the piston I6I is adapted to receive an apertured plug I13 threadedly seated in the piston. A set screw I15 prevents the plug from unscrewing. The wire cable I25 is formed with an internal enlarged portion I11. One side of the piston I6I is flattened and the space between the flattened portion of the piston and the sleeve I59 is filled with a shim I19 held in place by a set screw I8I. The shim prevents relative rotation between the sleeve I59 and the piston I6I. Upon rotation of the head I63, the piston I6I will reciprocate into and out of the sleeve I 59 thus placing tension upon the wire cable I25 within the chordless truss.

Referring now to Figure 18 the other end of the chordless truss is shown in greater detail. The member indicated generally by the reference numeral 64 comprises a base I83 in which is formed sockets I85, I81 and I89. Secured to the base I83 within each of the sockets is a wire screw I 9I to which the respective ends of the members I25 lodged in each of the members I03, I01 and III are seated. The end of member I03 is set in socket I89. The end of member III is seated insocket I81. The end of member I01 is seated in socket I85. The base I83 is formed with a flange I93 seated in a bifurcated member I95 formed in the member I91. A bolt I99 is adapted to pivotly pin the flange I 93 in the bifurcated end I95. A pair of tongues 2M and 203 extend in a plane at right angles to the bifurcated member I95. These tongues are adapted to be secured to the main ridge truss by a pivot pin passing through openings 205. In this manner a universal joint is formed which makes for ease in aligning the diagonal trusses and in erecting the assembly.

While we have described the sections of the truss members as tubular, it is to be understood that other structural shapes such as channel irons, angle irons or the like may be employed. It is to be understood further that while we have disclosed the use of three members in our truss, a larger number of members may be disposed at the apices of a quadrilateral, a pentagon or a hexagon instead of at the apices of a triangle as shown. The fabric of which the tent may be made may be of canvas, nylon or the like which may be treated to make it waterproof or fire resistant or both. Furthermore, means for preventing rips from spreading may be woven into the fabric.

It will be noted that the interior of the tent is completely unobstructed so that it may readily house an airplane. The front of the tent is adapted to be closed by a flap or flaps 88, which may be rolled up to the position shown in Figure 3 when it is desired to move an airplane in or out of the tent.

Our chordless truss, it will be remembered, is of general application. It may be employed in building construction, in the building of airplane fuselages and wings and in the building of ships and boats.

While we have shown a hangar tent which generally conforms to the shape of an airplane, our tent, too, is of general application. It may be used for meeting tents, circus tents, squad tents, storage tents and the like. For these uses, our tent may be rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal or octagonal in shape. In event a rectangular tent is to be built, we may employ two diagonal trusses in the rear similar to the constructie-n shown in the front. In this case, of course, two additional poles will be used in the rear. If desired. the catenary suspension in this case may be employed in the rear as well and the tent supported by four poles instead of three. A plurality of rectangular tents may be erected side by side. closely adjacent to each other to provide a long shelter. In this case, adjacent side curtains may be omitted. If desired, drainage troughs may be provided between adjacent tents. Another construction which is contemplated is one in which a pair of crescent trusses are used crossing centrally at right angles to each other. In such case the crescent trusses may be supported by four poles. This construction will give a true groined roof.

It will be seen that we have accomplished the objects of our invention. We have provided an inexpensive rapidly erectable structure for the storage of airplanes. Our tent hangar is free from internal obstructions and has a framework sufiiciently rigid, though light in weight, to resist vpressure of high Winds and to bear heavy snow loads. The lightness of our structure is such that our tent may be erected within a short period of time with a minimum of labor which need not be skilled. Our tent is useful in all fields requiring protection or housing, free from internal obstructions, which housing must be readily portable and easily erectable.

We have provided a novel chordless truss structure of general application which is light and easily transportable. The truss structure furthermore may be easily disassembled so that it may be readily transported. We have provided a novel means for tensioning our chordless truss and a plurality of improved assembling means enabling us rapidly and conveniently to assemble our tent with a, minimum of time, effort and labor.

It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of our claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of our claims without departing from the spirit of our invention. It is therefore understood that our invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A tent including in combination three tent poles positioned at the apices of a triangle, a supporting member extending between two of said poles and carried thereby, a main ridge member extending from said third pole to said supporting member and supported thereby, respective lateral ridge members extending from said main ridge member to respective poles of said first two poles and tent fabric formed with roof and sides supported by said ridge members.

2. A tent including in combination three tent poles positioned at the apices of a triangle, a flexible member forming a catenary between two of said poles and supported thereby, a main ridge member extending from said third pole to said catenary and supported thereby, respective lateral ridge members extending from the main ridge member to respective poles of said first two poles and tent fabric formed with roof and sides supported by said ridge members.

3. A tent as in claim 2 including a pair of side poles positioned adjacent said third pole, said tent fabric being supported by said ridge members and said side poles.

4. A tent as in claim 2 in which said main ridge member comprises an arcuate tubular member.

5. A tent as in claim 2 in which said main ridge member comprises a truss.

6. A tent as in claim 2 in which said main ridge member comprises an arcuate truss.

7. A tent as in claim 2 in which said lateral ridge members comprise curved elongated members.

8. A tent as in claim'2 including a flexible member extending below said catenary and between said first two poles,.said flexible member being of shorter length than said catenary member.

9. A tent as in claim 2 in which said main ridge member comprises a curved tubular member and a tension member extending below said curved member between its ends.

10. A tent as in claim 2 in which said lateral ridge members comprise curved elongated members and tensioning members extending from each of said first poles in vertical planes below said lateral members to a point below said main ridge member.

11. A tent as in claim 2 in which said tent fabric is formed with reinforcing flexible members sewed into the fabric at the juncture of adjoining tent surfaces.

12. A tent as in claim 2 in which said main ridge member comprises an arcuate truss comprising a plurality of sections and means for releasably holding said sections in assembled position.

13. A tent as in claim 2 in which said lateral ridge members comprise chordless trusses, each including a plurality of members, each of said members having disposed therein an elongated flexible member and means for tensioning each of said elongated flexible members.

14. A tent including in combination a plurality of tent poles, a catenary supporting cable extending between two of said poles and carried thereby, a main ridge member, means for supporting one end of said ridge member, said main ridge member extending from said supporting means to said supporting cable, guy means for said two poles and tent fabric formed with roof and sides supported by said assembly.

15. A tent including in combination a pair of tent poles, a flexible supporting member extending between said poles and carried thereby, a support, a main ridge member extending from said support to said flexible supporting member and supported thereby, respective lateral ridge members extending from said main ridge member to respective poles and tent fabric supported by said ridge members.

16. A tent as in claim 15 in which said main ridge member comprises an arcuate tubular member.

17. A tent as in claim 15 in which said main ridge member comprises a truss.

1B. A tent as in claim 15 in which said main ridge member comprises an arcuate truss.

19. A tent as in claim 15 in which said lateral ridge members comprise curved elongated members.

20. A tent as in claim 15 including a second flexible member extending below said first flexible member and between said poles, said second flexible member being of shorter length than said first flexible member.

21. A tent as in claim 15 in which said main ridge member comprises an arcuate tubular member and a tension member extending below said arcuate member between its ends.

22. A tent as in claim 15 in which said lateral ridge members comprise curved elongated members and tensioning means extending from each of said poles in vertical planes below said lateral members to a point beneath said main ridge member.

23. A tent as in claim 15 in which said main ridge member comprises an arcuate truss including a plurality of sections and means for releas- 11 ably holding said sections in assembled position. 24. A tent as in claim 15 in which said lateral ridge members comprise chordless trusses, each including a plurality of members, each of said members having disposed therein an elongated 5 flexible member and means for tensioning said elongated flexible members.

WALTER S. FINKEN.

LEONARD P. FRIEDER.

REFERENCES CITED Number 12 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Davis Sept. 11, 1883 Adams Apr. 22, 1884 Green Mar. 13, 1888 Goiffon Apr. 1, 1919 Blazer Apr. 29, 1919 Jones July 20, 1920 Arden Aug. '3, 1920 Gimenez et a1 Sept. 3, 1940 Bromschwig Apr. 29, 1941 Metschl May 12, 1942 

